Ongoing the work of restoring the Temple of Pythio Apolloin ancient Acropolis, of Rhodes (Monte Smith) by the competent Directorate of Restoration of Ancient Monuments of the Ministry of Culture.

The project is intended to restoring and reinforcing the monumentas well as in protection and rescue it from weardue to intense erosion and adverse climate conditions. Following the degradation of the monument and the detailed recording of the occupied and degraded members, its authentic ancient structural members are separated and preserved, while other structural members of modern restorations are being planned, the Ministry of Culture said.

In the context of interventions, the possibility is being investigated reintegration of members in the monumentin their right position, correcting mistakes of previous restorations in the 1930s and 1960s.

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendonistated: “The sanctuary of Pythios Apollo was integrated into the complex of the sacred and public buildings of the Acropolis of Rhodes. The original phase of the monument dates back to the end of the 4th or early 3rd century. B.C. The monument was rebuilt twice in antiquity -after the earthquake of 226 BC. and after a fire, in the late 1st century BC. Its today’s form is due to the restoration of the Italians, under Mario Paolini in 1937-1938. These interventions attributed, for example, the dimensions and partly the monumental of the Nautical building. Today’s recovery corrected earlier errors, protects the sensitive material of the building, preserved authentic parts of the carved rock, unique in Greece, improved the recruitment of the monument by the visitor. Upon completion of the work, it is highlighted, in the best way, not only the archaeological site but also the architecture and readability of the monument, enhancing its traffic. With the projected interventions, the Temple of Pythios Apollo regains its significant position in the historical narrative of the Acropolis of Rhodes. ”

The temple is located within the Acropolis of Rhodes. The location of the monument was known as the period before the Italian rulebut extensive excavations were carried out, for the first time in the mid -1920s, when the temple was completely revealed. Then most of the archaeological site was excavated, bringing to light the Conservatory, Stadium and Temple of Artemis. The Temple of Apollo is estimated to have a dominant place in the ancient city, in the eastern slope of Agios Stefanos hill or otherwise Mount Smith.

According to the excavations was the largest temple of the ancient citysurpassing to Dimensions The Temple of Zeus Politician and Athena Poliada which are found northas well as the adjacent temple of Artemis. The temple, along with almost all of the Acropolis monuments, were probably preserved until the Early Christian period. Since then it is considered to have been damaged by natural disasters and raids or how was lonelledlike most monuments of antiquity.

During World War II, the monument suffered significant damageas crowds were placed in the area. The work of supplementing and repairing the damage was carried out by the Archaeological Service during the period 1959-1960.